‘Keep electricity flowing for farmers’: TGSPDCL chief Jitesh Patil orders uninterrupted power supply

Hyderabad: With electricity demand hitting record highs due to the rabi season and the onset of summer, Jitesh V Patil, IAS, Chairman and MD of TGSPDCL, has issued a stern directive to power officials: Ensure an uninterrupted supply and keep the financial and logistical burden off the farming community.

Heavy surge in Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts

The Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Limited (TGSPDCL) is currently navigating a sharp spike in consumption. On March 13, peak demand surged to 11,318 MW, with daily consumption reaching 222.34 million units.

Experts within the DISCOM estimate that as the heat intensifies, demand could scale to 12,000 MW by the final week of March.

The surge is particularly pronounced in the undivided Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda districts compared to previous years.

Proactive infrastructure build-up

To counter the seasonal strain, the DISCOM has authorised a massive infrastructure rollout:

- 5,000 New Transformers: Sanctioned across the DISCOM region.

- Over 3,000 of these units have been allocated specifically to rural areas to support agricultural needs.

Ground-level inspections

Taking a hands-on approach, CMD Jitesh V Patil conducted a surprise inspection of the transformer repair centre in Parigi, Vikarabad district. During the visit, he reviewed the efficiency of repair works and the management of technical stock.

“Under no circumstances should any additional burden be imposed on farmers,” the CMD emphasised.

New protocol for faulty transformers

The CMD laid out a clear ‘Replacement First’ policy to minimise downtime for consumers:

1. Rolling Stock: Every section must maintain adequate transformer stock.

2. Immediate Installation: Upon receiving a complaint, a new transformer must be installed immediately.

3. Post-Replacement Repair: Faulty units are to be shifted to repair centres only after the replacement is functional, ensuring farmers aren’t left waiting for power while repairs are underway.